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Your Observer

    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 5, 2017
East County High 5 Moments: 07.05.17

East County High 5 Moments: 07.05.17

  • East County
  • Sports
Madelyn Fouche, 5, practices her kick during swim lessons from instructor Briana Lutzi, with School of Fish swim academy, at the John Marble Pool. Manatee County plans to modify and expand at the park over the next three years.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 5, 2017
Five-year plan takes shape

Roads, parks main targets of half-cent sales tax funds.

  • East County
  • News
Enzo and owner Ron enjoy Bayfront's dog park for the first time.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 5, 2017
Bayfront Park on Longboat Key officially opens

The $3.5 million renovation project began in June 2016.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Maggie Mooney-Portale has served as town attorney since 2013.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 5, 2017
Longboat town attorney seeks new, hourly deal

Maggie Mooney-Portale has served as town attorney since 2013.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner!
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 5, 2017
Cops Corner: Longboat Key 7.6.17

Enjoy this week's edition of Cops Corner!

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Bob Goodman has an idea to construct penthouses atop Sands Point.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 5, 2017
An idea with a view: the Sands Point redevelopment dilemma

Penthouses atop the Sands Point condo would help finance overall renovations, but Longboat commissioners are still grappling with rules for that kind of redevelopment.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • July 4, 2017
Selby celebrates the Fourth of July

Several Sarasotans spent their Independence Day playing lawn games and watching fireworks at Selby Gardens' All-American BBQ.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • July 4, 2017
Siesta fireworks dazzle despite damp weather

Over 2,000 fireworks shells exploded over the beach on Siesta Key. Then came the rain.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 4, 2017
Bird Key rings in the Fourth of July

Club members and their guests celebrated Independence Day with games, a buffet dinner and potato car races.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
Cast members Garrett Miller, Kelsey Owens, Chloe Trautman, Alex Kompothecras, Juliette Porter, Brandon Gomes and Madisson Hausburg - Photo by Dewey Nicks for MTV
    By
  • Niki Kottmann
  • July 4, 2017
MTV's 'Siesta Key' will premiere July 31

The premiere date for the network's new locally-shot reality show was announced Monday night.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 4, 2017
Freedom Fest brings star-spangled celebration to Longboat Key

The 15th annual event was held at Bicentennial Park on July 4.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
A truck crashed into the front of the Lobster Pot restaurant on the Fourth of July, and holiday traffic is preventing it from being removed. Photo courtesy Alex Mahadevan.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 4, 2017
Truck crashes into Siesta Key restaurant

Because of holiday traffic, the truck will stay stuck in the Lobster Pot until a removal team can make it out on the island.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The Haven’s newest project, the Frank Stern Employment Center, is scheduled for completion in August.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • July 4, 2017
Haven's new facility provides opportunities

7,500-square-foot building will add 80 jobs for those with disabilities.

  • East County
  • News
Last year, Siesta Key resident Gayle Paul helped keep her local beach clean.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • July 3, 2017
Residents prep to clean Siesta Beach after the holiday

More than 1,000 people have indicated their interest in a post-Fourth of July event on Facebook.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
The City Commission will discuss medical marijuana regulations tonight.
    By
  • David Conway
  • July 3, 2017
City Commission to consider marijuana dispensary ban

After the state passed legislation regulating medical marijuana dispensaries, the city attorney recommends staying out of the weed business — for now, at least.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • July 3, 2017
Half Shell undergoing quick exterior repair

Throughout the duration of repair, Half Shell will still be open.

  • East County
  • News
Sarasota sports roundup: 07.03.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2017
Sarasota sports roundup: 07.03.17

Sarasota sports roundup: 07.03.17

  • Sarasota
  • Sports
East County sports roundup: 07.03.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • July 3, 2017
East County sports roundup: 07.03.17

East County sports roundup: 07.03.17

  • East County
  • Sports
Manatee County offices will be closed July 4.
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 3, 2017
Manatee County government offices to close for holiday

Some parks and preserves will remain open July 4.

  • East County
  • News
East County's Wesley Helm takes a ride on his dad, Mike Helm's shoulders.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • July 2, 2017
A Benderson Park blast

Nathan Benderson Park presents its first Fourth of July weekend fireworks show.

  • East County
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • July 1, 2017
Mote hosts "fin-tastic" family festival

The annual Fins and Family fun Festival took place on July 1.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Pam Eubanks
  • July 1, 2017
Man arrested on DUI charges in Lakewood Ranch area fatality

Toxicology results have led to the arrest of a Myakka man.

  • East County
  • News
Looking east on Cortez Road, with 119th Street West to the right.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • July 1, 2017
Bradenton traffic plan encourages Longboat leaders

It's not perfect, they say, but it will help and can serve as foundation for more work.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • July 1, 2017
Sarasota Grand Prix weighs anchor on Main

Residents and visitors get an up close look at Sarasota Grand Prix contestants.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
In addition to lowering the speed limit from 40 mph, state and city officials are considering other changes to the road.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 30, 2017
FDOT to lower speed limit near Siesta-Higel curve

Following a pair fatal crashes this year, the Florida Department of Transportation is making changes near the intersection of Siesta Drive and Higel Avenue.

  • Siesta Key
  • News
Officials are urging people to stay safe while having fun this Fourth of July.
    By
  • Cassidy Alexander
  • June 30, 2017
Officials urge safety this Fourth of July

With preventable deaths in the U.S. at an all-time high, local and state officials are reminding everyone to be safe.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Crews completed the microtunnel phases of the Lift Station 87 project last month.
    By
  • David Conway
  • June 30, 2017
Osprey Avenue bridge reopens to pedestrians

The bridge will reopen to traffic by July 14, the city announced today.

  • Sarasota
  • News
    By
  • Katie Johns
  • June 30, 2017
Aqua Kids snorkel into summer fun

Mote campers snorkeled New Pass Inlet and field sampled Sarasota Bay.

  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
    By
  • Anna Brugmann
  • June 30, 2017
Boys and Girls Club celebrate mile marker

Fit2Run celebrated the donation of its 5000th pair of shoes to Boys and Girls Club with a one-mile fun run.

  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
East County sports roundup: 06.30.17
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 30, 2017
East County sports roundup: 06.30.17

East County sports roundup: 06.30.17

  • East County
  • Sports
A walk-in saltwater pool.
    By
  • Eric Garwood
  • June 30, 2017
Beachfront estate offers lots of features, privacy

North Longboat property listed on the market for $14.75 million

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Tina Hadley. File photo.
    By
  • Ryan Kohn
  • June 29, 2017
Lakewood Ranch girls basketball coach steps down

She has accepted the head coaching position at a high school in Georgia.

  • East County
  • Sports
Recognize these earrings? Longboat police want to hear from you.
    By
  • John McGuire
  • June 29, 2017
Police name suspected Longboat jewelry thief

The suspect worked as a window blind installer for a subcontractor of Lowe's home improvement stores.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
Arleane Stier, 94, says growing up during the Great Depression instilled in her a sense of gratitude.
    By
  • Nick Friedman
  • June 29, 2017
Longboat resident reflects on life during the Great Depression

For Arleane Stier, going through one of the toughest periods in American history instilled a lasting sense of gratitude.

  • Sarasota
  • News
Sergeant Dave Cooper with (from right) Maureen Cooper (mother), Mirka Sidlo (girlfriend) and Bianca Cooper (daughter).
    By
  • John McGuire
  • June 29, 2017
Longboat Police Department has a new sergeant

Dave Cooper joined the force in December 2014.

  • Longboat Key
  • News
MTC sudent Jasmine Griffith earned a second-place finish in the nurse assisting contest at the 2017 National SkillsUSA Championships.
    By
  • Berkley Mason
  • June 29, 2017
Manatee Technical College earns five golds at SkillsUSA National Championships

Ten MTC students earn medals at the competition.

  • East County
  • News
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Latest News

1
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
  • December 21, 2025
Letters to Santa carry Christmas wishes and love
2
Sue Wertman has rung the bell outside the Publix on Longboat Key on behalf of the Kiwanis Club of Longboat Key since 2013.
  • December 21, 2025
Longest-serving Longboat bellringer attributes motivation to family
3
Sarasota Memorial Hospital's Kolschowsky Research and Education Institute.
  • December 21, 2025
SMH participates in global bladder cancer treatment clinical trial
4
Santa greets visitors from the window of 9605 Governor's Club Place in The River Club.
  • December 20, 2025
Christmas decorating isn't just for kids
5
The Family Church caroling crew from left to right is Melody Johnson, Laurie Houston, Nancy Pilato, Pastor Phil Derstine and Terrial Robinson.
  • December 20, 2025
East Manatee church members will go through bars to spread Christmas joy

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